Pasture production
Pasture production is based mainly on annual ryegrass and subterranean clover pastures with a 7 month growing season (April to November). The growing season is longer in the more southerly regions than the more northern areas, usually by 4-6 weeks. Production from annual pastures ranges from 6 to 12 t DM/ha/yr depending on management and fertiliser strategies.
Net growth of annual pastures recorded on commercial dairy varies 20-40 kg DM/ha/day (May-June), falling to 15-35 kg DM/ha/day (July-August) and increasing to either 40-70 kg DM/ha/day if grazed or 90-140 DM/ha/day if locked for hay/silage (September-October). Some 30-40% of growth occurs over a 3-4 month period from mid-April/May to mid August with most of the remainder produced over the next 2-3 months. Given sub-optimal nutrient status on some farms, growth rates can be improved by the strategic use of fertiliser.
Growth rates recorded (www.pasturesfromspace.csiro.au) for shires (S) or locations are presented below for 2007. These growth rates cover annual pastures across a range of agricultural enterprises and soil nutrient status.
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Perennial pastures exist in irrigation regions and summer moist areas. They are based on perennial ryegrasses and white clover, and/or paspalum and kikuyu. Pasture production from perennial based pastures ranges from 16 to 22 t DM/ha.
Annual pasture growth rates for potential new dairy areas based on a pasture/feedlot based production system are presented below.
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